Mom shot while holding newborn baby

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) -- Pawtucket police are investigating two separate shootings on the same street, one of which sent the mother of a baby girl to the hospital.

Police said the woman, her boyfriend, and their 3-month-old baby were asleep in their apartment on Merrick St., when they were confronted by two armed men around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

One of the men began beating the male victim, while demanding cash and drugs. During the incident, police said one of the suspects shot the woman in her shoulder.

An eyewitness said he heard the shots being fired.

“Pow, pow, pow, bang! That’s it.”

Police said the men then grabbed some cash and a flat screen television and left the apartment.

The woman's injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Although she was holding her child at the time, police said the infant was not hurt.

The shooting happened hours after another violent incident on that same street.

Eyewitnesses told police an SUV was driving backwards down Merrick St. around 6:30 p.m. Monday, while people driving in a smaller vehicle were firing shots at the SUV.

Police said the SUV then hit a parked car, and the two or three occupants inside took off.

Officers on scene found several .45 caliber shell casings on scene, and also located two vehicles that had been struck with bullets.

Investigators said the location of the smaller vehicle and the people inside was unknown.

The owner of the SUV told police she loaned the vehicle to someone to use.

At this time, investigators do not believe the two shootings are related.

“I think that the youth these days have no respect. They think this is a grand theft auto game that life is just something that you can do whatever you want, hurt whoever you want and it’s all good. It’s not like that, people are trying to live out here,” said a person who lives in the neighborhood.

Anyone with information on either crime is asked to call Det. Laforest at 401-727-9100 Ext. 761.